Surviving Abuse Podcast

I’m Mickie Zada and I lived in abuse…for 34 years…from age 19 until I was 53.
I believe we create our realities, and I chose to stay in a damaging relationship for so long because I thought it was my Calling. I was wrong.
I changed me. I am now an enthusiastic participant in Life.
“The words ‘I am’ are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.” A.L. Kitselman
I am a strong woman, a fabulous woman, over 60 years old.
I am a Change-agent. I am an encourager. I am uniquely qualified to speak to living in abuse, getting out and surviving to the fullest extent. I know what it takes. I know the fear. I am a survivor.
I am a coach.
I am happy to have these “I Am” words to reach back and claim me!
The actions I teach and share are those that I’ve learned in my Journey from choosing to live in abuse to choosing to create my authentic life; safe, sound, Real.
I invite you to read through this web page. Think about who I Am. Read blogs, listen to some podcasts, watch live videos. Do we connect?
I am open and exposed. Choose to reach out to me or not.
What I know for sure is that I lived the life of abuse, and got out, and I’ve thrived, to serve as a beacon to other women.
If you live in abuse, or you’ve recently escaped, it’s my Mission to support and encourage you to choose and live a healthy life.
The materials, the tools, the support is here.
It’s your responsibility to grab hold and change yourself, from the in-side out.

When someone asks directions, the first question you ask is “Where Are You Now?” Mickie provides a tool to discover your beginning point in achieving Balance in your Life. In fact, you will have a unique model of what balance looks like for you. Bring your paper and pen and have fun!

Mickie introduces you to four women who have chosen to change their results by changing their story. One is a young woman who moved from an early career in finance to the owner/operator of a craft rum distillery (! ) and another is a 100 year old yoga instructor who lives in Scotland. Each story illustrates that Changing our Story is not easy but it is worth the effort.

In this episode, Mickie gathers her girlfriends to share some of their most comical Thanksgiving memories. We all know that disasters that happen around the holidays leave a treasured footprint on our minds! So grab a drink and sit back and relax and enjoy these hilarious stories!

You know what it feels like…you’ve had it before. If you’re not living in happiness now you just need to start over. You don’t want a boring life to replay every single day, do you? Any action is better than no action, especially if you’ve been stuck in an unhappy situation for a long time. Here are some suggestions.

A recent government survey shows that in 2003 13% of those who wed were age 45 and older. Tellingly, Newsweek retracted its much touted claim about women over 40 having a better chance of being killed by a terrorist than getting married.

I am waaay over 45 and I’m getting married this week! Here’s our story…

Joann Melton is a survivor…she is now 100% pancreatic cancer free and has regained 100% of her kidney function. In the dark of night she reminded herself, “I can’t die now…my house is a mess!” and “I can’t die now…I have no life insurance”. Listen to her miraculous story of personal growth and survival.

One of the “Big Deals” with being in our second 53 years is determining our fashion statement. Our Style. Do you listen to the fashion gurus and wear only designer clothes; do you wear clothes that make you look younger; OR do you not give a rip anymore if you have any consistent style at all?

Each of these considerations are discussed and some suggestions are made for deciding which clothes in your closet to keep and which to pass along to someone else.

In this episode Mickie asks, “What happens when you decide to break those long-held life patterns…what if you decide NOT to live your life the way everyone else has.”

Everyone in your family smokes so you smoked. Everyone in your family went to college, so you went to college. Everyone in your family got married and had children, so you did, too. And, NOBODY got divorced.

The only thing consistent in life is change. Don’t let it freak you out!

From traditional roles of wife and Mom to successful entrepreneur, Carolyn Brown offers sage advice and theories to seriously consider while on our growth path.

After becoming a single Mom and embarking on a successful real estate career, Carolyn discovered direct sales… because her identity became that of a Realtor, though, when she decided to change careers, she wondered “Who is Carolyn Brown if not a realtor?”

In building her business she learned the value of allowing others to help her (a giant lesson for most women) and she learned it’s the space between the notes that makes the music.

Have you made outside-the-norm choices for your life? Do you long to do something meaningful, even though you’re in your “second 53 years”? All you need is a little inspiration and some encouragement to take that first baby step? This is the podcast for you!

This episode is inspired by a face book graphic…several little girls in ballet class paying attention to the teacher, but “the girl on the right” is hanging upside down on the barre by her knees! The caption is: “Be like the girl on the right”.

Research led me to four women who chose paths not traveled by their peers: Agree with their politics or not, they lived “girl on the right” lives!

At 47 Sheri Bush ran her first half-marathon and was struck with an epiphany that “running would become a huge part of her life”. At that moment she moved from Where she was to Who she is! Today Sheri is one of 2 American women to have completed all 6 Major World Marathons…and she has goals to complete before she’s 60! Running may not be your thing…it’s sure not mine! Sheri’s story will inspire you to live YOUR life!

You’ve seen that horse on face book, tethered to blue plastic chair? Well, like that horse, we are all tethered to something we could walk away from…except we are held by our conditioning! In this discussion, learn ways to discover what’s holding you in places you’ve outgrown.

In this episode, Mickie shares her journey from a marriage of 34 years, to being on her own and responsible for her own finances and well-being. Although the journey has had it's low points, Mickie has learned valuable lessons that she has carried with her. Mickie also talks about the motivation for the podcast and why it is such an amazing accomplishment for her.

In this episode, Mickie shares her journey from a marriage of 34 years, to being on her own and responsible for her own finances and well-being. Although the journey has had it's low points, Mickie has learned valuable lessons that she has carried with her. Mickie also talks about the motivation for the podcast and why it is such an amazing accomplishment for her.

“Be willing to learn new skills” is the advice Jennifer Powell offers women considering a life change. Jennifer walks her talk: A former physical education teacher and Dolphin Research Center educator, Jennifer is now an accomplished facilitator, mediator, coach, presenter and a certified international tour director, leading tours in Cuba! Contact Jennifer at http://www.ReflectionsCoaching.net or jjpowell440@gmail.com

In this episode, Lynette Renda shares her story of finding herself in a career she wasn't thrilled about. She recognizes that her discontent with her career led her to continue searching for what she was really passionate about. Lynette shares what she is doing now, and how she got from there to here!

Everyone has to deal with the gap at some point. Minding the gap is all about growing into the person you were meant to be and living the life you have always wanted. Mickie shares her journey across the gap and the lessons she has learned.

In this episode of the Second 53 Years, Kara Oh talks about her reinvention! Despite having a varied business background, Kara found herself drawn towards her passion, through a series of circumstances. Her divorce was not the end of her career. She used it as the catalyst for the best phase of her life!

In today's episode, Mickie interviews 2 ladies that have just returned from the trip of a lifetime! They originally planned a 10 day trip and before they knew it, it turned into 25 days and the trip of a lifetime! Listen to their story of adventure!